ii
Foreword
The Kybalion, a book on the Seven Hermetic/Universal Principles, is written in
obscurance, half truths, and paradoxes to conceal its true meaning and application from the
uninitiated. As such its words should not have been taken literally, as so many have wrongly
done. Obscurance means: To make difficult to discern mentally or understand. Half truth are
statements intended to deceive that are only partially true or incomplete. A paradox is something
exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects. Absolute truths are things that are not mixed
with untruths, pure truth, things that are complete.
In the fourth of the Seven Principles, the Principle of Polarity, it says in part, “All truths
are but half truths, all paradoxes may be reconciled.” With this being so, it was meant to be
applied to The Kybalion itself as well for it to be rightly understood as we have been inspired to
do so here.
These reconciliations were accomplished through a systematic knowledge that unveiled
the Absolute truths hidden within. One of the keys of this systematic knowledge is in the Ancient
Teachings of The Seven Liberal Arts, which was the primary lesson required of all initiates in
the ancient Egyptian mysteries to learn. See, Ancient Mysteries C.H. Vail pg 24-25, Stolen
Legacy James George GM pg 26, All ancient great religious and philosophical teachers, from
Moses to Christ, were initiates of the Egyptian Mysteries, Stolen Legacy pg 178, Ancient
Mysteries pg 61, Mystical Life of Jesus, H. Spencer Lewis, Esoteric Christianity, Anna Besant
pg 128-129. Another is The Ten Virtues Stolen Legacy pg 30 and The Ten Commandments,
Metu Neter vol 2, Amen Ra Un Neter.
A word is bound to its meaning. So in part to understand and reconcile something written
in obscurance, half truths, and paradoxes, by someone well versed in the Liberal Arts, it stands to
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reason that one must interpret that person’s words or writings in accordance with semantics,
which is included in the liberal art of Grammar, called Vyakarana, the sacred science of grammar
in Hinduism, and what meaning of the word he, she, or it intended that word to mean.
Thus, in The Kybalion Reconciled semantics, ratiocination, intuition, and divine
revelations serve to rightly interpret and reconcile the Seven Principles taught by
Hermes/Melchizedek from the books of Enoch. And in imparting to you the right understanding
and application of these principles we have reconciled them in full correspondence with one
another making them consistent, non-contradictory, and applicable with each other to give you a
clear, definitive, and comprehensive interpretation of their true intended meaning and
application.
A Good Shepherd
and Shepherdess
iv
Content
Introduction viii
1. The Hermetic/Divine Teachings 1
2. The Reconciled Seven Hermetic or Divine Universal Principles 7
3. Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Transmutation 20
4. God/Goddess 25
5. The Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Universe 35
6. The Divine Paradox Reconciled 44
7. God and Goddess are Not in All 54
8. The Planes and Kinds of Correspondence 64
9. Vibration 77
10. Polarity 84
11. Rhythm 91
12. Causation 98
13. Gender 105
14. Mental and Spiritual Gender 111
15. Hermetic Axioms 123
v
Introduction
We take great pleasure in presenting to the attention of students and investigators of the
Secret Doctrines, this little work based upon the reconciliation of the world-old Enochian or
Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzcolt or Divine Universal Teachings. There has been nothing
written upon this subject, notwithstanding countless references to the Teachings in the many
works upon Religion, Gnosticism, agnosticism, occultism, philosophy, and new age thought, that
the many earnest readers after the Arcane and Absolute Truths will doubtless welcome the
appearance of this volume.
The purpose of this work is not the enunciation of any special philosophy or doctrine, but
rather is to give to the students and seekers of “Absolute Truth” that which will serve to
reconcile the many bits of religious, gnostic, agnostic, occult, philosophic, and new age thought
knowledge that they may have acquired, but which are apparently opposed and contradictory to
each other and which often serve to discourage and disgust the beginner in the study. Our intent
is not to erect a new Temple of Knowledge, but rather to place it in the hands of the students and
seekers of “Absolute Truth” a Master Key with which he, she, and it may open the many inner
doors in the Temple of Mystery through the main portals he, she, and it has already entered.
There is no portion of the occult teachings possessed by the world which have been so
closely guarded as the fragments of the Enochian or Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzcolt
Teachings which have come down to us over the tens of centuries which have elapsed since the
lifetime of Enoch and Melchizedek/Hermes Trismegistus, the “scribe of God,” who dwelled in
Ethiopia, Salem, and old Egypt in the days when the present race of men and women was in its
infancy. Contemporary with Abraham, and if the legends be true, an instructor of that venerable
sage. Hermes/Melchizedek was, and is, the Great Central Sun of Occultism, whose rays have
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served to illuminate the countless teachings, which have been promulgated since his time. All the
fundamental and basic teachings embedded in the religious, philosophic, and esoteric teachings
of every race may be traced back to Enoch and Hermes/Melchizedek. Even the most ancient
teachings of India undoubtedly have their roots in the original Enochian and
Melchizedekian/Hermetic Teachings.
From the land of the Ganges many-advanced teachers and occultist wandered to the land
of Egypt, and sat at the feet of the Master, from him they obtained the Master Key, of which to
reconcile and explain their divergent views, and thus the Secret Doctrine was to be firmly
established. From other lands also came the learned ones, all of whom regarded
Hermes/Melchizedek as the Master of Masters, and his influence was so great that in spite of the
many wanderings from the path on the part of the centuries of teachers in the different lands,
there may still be found a certain basic resemblance and correspondence which underlies the
many and often quite divergent theories entertained and taught by the priest, philosophers, and
occultists of these different lands today. The students of Comparative Religions and philosophies
will be able to perceive the influence of the Enochian and Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Divine
Universal Teachings in every religion and philosophy worthy of the name, now known to man,
whether it be a dead religion or philosophy or one in full vigor in our own times. There is always
a certain correspondence in spite of the contradictory features, and The Kybalion Reconciled will
act as the Great Reconciler.
The lifework of Hermes/ Melchizedekian/Quetzcolt seems to have been in the direction
of planting the great Seed-Absolute Truth, but it has grown and blossomed in so many strange
forms, rather than to establish a religion or school of philosophy, which would dominate the
world’s thought. But, nevertheless, the teachings taught by him has been kept intact in their
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original form by a few beings in each age, who, refusing great numbers of half-developed
students and seekers of Absolute Truth, followed the Hermetic custom and reserved the
teachings for the Ones who were ready to comprehend and master it. From lip to ear, the
teachings have been handed down among the few. There have always been a few initiates in each
generation, in the various lands of the earth, who kept alive the sacred flame of the Divine
Universal Teachings, and such have always been willing to use their lamps to re-light the lesser
lamps of the outside world when the light of the “Original truths” grew dim, and clouded by
reason of neglect, and when the wicks became clogged with foreign matter. There were always a
few to tend faithfully the alter of the “Original truths”, upon which was kept alight the Perpetual
Lamp of Wisdom. These men and women devoted their lives to the labor of Love, which the
poet has so well stated in his lines:
“O, let not the flame die out! Cherished age after age in its dark cavern – in its holy
temples cherished. Fed by pure ministers of love – let not the flame die out!”
These men and women have never sought popular approval nor numbers of followers.
They are indifferent to these things, for they know how few there are in each generation who are
ready for the “Absolute Truth”, or who would recognize it if it were presented to them. They
reserve the “strong meat for men and women,” while others furnish the “milk for babies.” They
reserve their pearls of wisdom for the few elect, who recognize their value and who wear them in
their crowns, instead of casting them before the materialistic vulgar swine, who would trample
them in the mud and mix them with their disgusting mental food. But still these men and women
have never forgotten or overlooked the original teaching of Hermes/Melchizedek/Quetzcolt,
regarding the passing on of the words of the “Original truths” to those ready to receive it, which
teaching is stated in The Kybalion as follows: “Where fall the footsteps of the Master, the ears of
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those ready for his Teachings open wide,” And again: “When the ears of the student are ready to
hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with wisdom.” But their customary attitude has always
been strictly in accordance with the other Hermetic aphorism, also in The Kybalion: “The lips of
wisdom are closed, except to the ears of understanding.”
There are those who have criticized this attitude of the learned Hermetists and Wise, and
who have claimed that they did not manifest the proper spirit in their policy of seclusion and
reticence. But a moment’s glance back over the pages of history will show the wisdom of the
Masters, who knew the folly of attempting to teach to the world that which it was neither ready
or willing to receive until its time. The learned Hermetists and Wise have never sought to be
martyrs, and have, instead, sat silently aside with a pitying smile on their closed lips, while the
“heathen raged noisily about them” in their customary amusement of putting to death and torture
the honest but misguided enthusiasts who imagined that they could force upon a race of
barbarians the teachings, capable of being understood only by the elect who had advanced along
The Way.
And the spirit of persecution has not as yet died out in the land. There are certain
Enochian and Hermetic/Mechizedekian or Divine Universal Teachings, which, if publicly
promulgated, would bring down upon the teachers a great cry of scorn and revilement from the
multitude, who would again raise the cry of “Crucify! Crucify!”
In this little work, “The Kybalion Reconciled” we have endeavored to give you the idea
of the fundamental teachings of The Kybalion, striving to give you the working Principles,
leaving you to apply them yourselves. If you are a true student and seeker of “Absolute Truth,”
you will be able to work out and rightly apply these Principles—if not, then you must develop
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yourself into one, for otherwise the Divine Universal Teachings will be as “words, words,
words” to you.
Edited from The Kybalion
x
1
The Hermetic/ Melchizedekian Divine Teachings
“The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of understanding.”
—The Kybalion
From old Egypt have come the fundamental esoteric and occult teachings, which have so
strongly influenced the philosophies and religions of all races, nations and peoples, for several
thousand years. Egypt, the home of the Pyramids and the Sphinx, was the birthplace of the
Hidden Wisdom and Mystic Teachings. From the Secret Doctrine all nations have borrowed.
India, Persia, Chaldea, Medea, China, Japan, Assyria, ancient Greece, and Rome and other
ancient countries partook liberally at the feast of knowledge which the Hierophants and Masters
of the Land of Isis so freely provided for those who came prepared to partake of the great store
of Mystic and Occult Lore which the masterminds of that ancient land gathered together.
In ancient Egypt dwelt the great Adepts and Masters who have never been surpassed, and
who seldom have been equaled, during the centuries that have taken their processional flight
since the days of the Great Hermes/Mechizedek. In Egypt was located the Great Lodge of
Lodges of the Mystics. At the doors of her temples entered the Neophytes who afterward, as
Hierophants, Adepts, and Masters, traveled to the four corners of the earth, carrying with them
the precious knowledge which they were ready, anxious, and willing to pass on to those who
were ready to receive the same. All students of the occult and seekers of Absolute Truth
recognize the debt that they owe to those venerable Masters of the Ancient Land.
But among these Great Masters of Ancient Egypt there once dwelt one of whom Masters
hailed as “The Master of Masters.” This man, if “man” indeed he was, dwelt in Ethiopia, Egypt,
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Salem, and Mesoamerica, to name a few, in the earliest days. He was known by the names of
Melchizedek, Ningishzidda, Thoth, Hermes Trismegistus, and Quetzalcoatl among a few others.
He was the Priest of the God most high, the father of the Occult Wisdom, the founder of
Astrology, and Alchemy. The details of his life story are lost to history, owing to the lapse of
years, though several of the ancient countries disputed with each other in their claims to the
honor of having furnished his birthplace—and this thousands of years ago. The date of his
sojourn in Egypt, is not now known, but it has been fixed at the early days of the oldest dynasties
of Egypt—long before the days of Moses. The best authorities regard him as a contemporary of
Abraham and some of the Jewish traditions go so far as to claim that Abraham acquired a portion
of his mystic knowledge from Hermes/Melchizedek himself.
As the years rolled by after his passing from this plane of life (tradition recording that he
lived three hundred to one thousand years in the flesh) the Egyptians deified Hermes, and made
him one of their gods, under the name of Thoth. Years after, the people of Ancient Greece also
made him one of their many gods—calling him “Hermes, the god of Wisdom.” The Egyptians
revered his memory for many centuries—yes, tens of centuries—calling him “the Scribe of the
Gods,” and bestowing upon him, distinctively, his ancient title, “Trismegistus,” which means
“the thrice-great,” “the great-great,” “the greatest-great,” etc. In all the ancient lands, the name of
Hermes Trismegistus was revered, the name being synonymous with the “Fount of Wisdom.”
Even to this day, people use the term “hermetic” in the sense of “secret,” sealed so that
nothing can escape, etc., and this by reason of the fact that the followers of Hermes/Melchizedek/
Quetzalcoatl etc. always observed the principle of secrecy in their teachings. They did not
believe in “casting pearls before swine,” but rather held to the teaching “milk for babies,” “meat
xii
for strong men,” both of which maxims are familiar to readers of the Christian scriptures, but
both of which had been use by the Egyptians for centuries before the Christian era.
And this policy of careful dissemination of the “Original truths” has always characterized
the Learned Hermetists/Melchizedists etc, even into the present day. The
Enochian/Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzalcoatl or Divine Universal Teachings are to be found
in all lands, among all philosophies and religions, but never indentified with any particular
country, or world nor with any particular philosophical or religious sect. This is because of the
warning of the ancient teachers against allowing the Secret Doctrine to become crystallized into
a creed. The wisdom of this caution is apparent to all students of history. The ancient occultion
of India and Persia degenerated and was largely lost, owing to the fact that the teachers became
priest, and so mixed incorrect theology with the philosophy, the result being that the occultism of
India and Persia has been gradually lost amidst the mass of religious superstition, cults, creeds,
and “gods.” So it was with the Enochian/Hermetic/Melchizedekian, Quetzcoatl, or Divine
Universal Teachings of the Gnostics and early Christians, which were lost at the time of
Constantine, whose iron hand smothered philosophy and the original truths with the blanket of
incorrect theology, losing to the Christian Church that which was its very essence and spirit, and
causing it to grope throughout several centuries before it found the way back to its ancient faith,
the indications apparent to all careful observers in this twentieth century being that the church is
now struggling to get back to its ancient mystic teachings.
But there were always a few faithful souls who kept alive the flame, tending it carefully,
and not allowing its light to become extinguished. And thanks to these stauch hearts and fearless
minds, we have The Way to “Absolute Truth” still with us. But it is not found in books, to any
great extent. It has been passed along from Master to Student—from initiates to Hierophants,
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from lip to ear. When it was written down at all, its meaning was veiled in terms of grammar,
alchemy and astrology, so that only those possessing the key could read it aright. This was made
necessary in order to avoid the persecution of the so-called theologians of the Middle Ages, who
fought the Secret Doctrine with fire and sword, stake, gibbet and cross. Even to this day there
will be found but few reliable books on the Enochian/Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzalcoatlian
etc. teachings, although there are countless references to them in many books written on various
phases of religion, philosophy, and Occultism. And yet, The reconciliation of the Hermetic
teachings is the only Master Key, which will open all the doors to the Absolute Truth of Gnostic,
Occult, Philosophic, Religious, and Scientific Teachings!
In the early days, there was a compilation of certain Basic Hermetic Doctrines, passed on
from teacher to student, which was known as “The Kybalion” the exact significance and
meaning of the term having been lost for several centuries. This teaching, however, is known to
many to whom it has descended, from mouth to ear, on and on throughout the centuries. Its
precepts have never been written down, or printed, so far as we know. It was merely a collection
of maxims, axioms, and precepts, which were non-understandable to outsiders, but which were
partially understood by students, after the axioms, maxims, and precepts had been explained and
exemplified by the Hermetic Initiates to their Neophytes. These teachings really constituted the
basic principles of “The Art of Hermetic Alchemy,” which, contrary to the general belief, dealt
in the mastery of Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Forces, rather than Material Elements—the
Transmutation of one kind of Mental, Physical, and Spiritual state into others, instead of the
changing of one kind of metal into another. The legends of the “Philosopher’s Stone” which
would turn base metal into Gold, was an allegory relating to Hermetic Philosophy, partially
understood by students of Hermeticism.
xiv
In this little book, of which Mentalism is the First Lesson, we invite students and seekers
of “Absolute Truth” to examine into the Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzalcoatl or Divine
Universal Teachings, as set forth in The Kybalion Reconciled, and explained by us, humble
students and teachers, of the Teachings, who while bearing the title of Shepherd, and
Shepherdess are still students of Hermes/Melchizedek/Quetzalcoatl the Master. We herein give
you reconciliation of many of the maxims, axioms, and precepts of The Kybalion accompanied
by explanations and illustrations, which we deem likely to render the teachings more easily
comprehended by the modern student and seeker of “Absolute Truth”, particularly as the original
text is purposely veiled in obscure terms.
The original maxims, axioms, and precepts of “The Kybalion” are printed herein to be
given the proper credit to. We trust that the many students and seekers of “Absolute Truth” to
whom we now offer this little work will derive as much benefit from the study of its words as
will the many who will come after you, treading the same Way to Mastery throughout the
centuries that have passed since the times of Hermes Trismegistus—the Master of Masters—the
Great-Great. In the words of “The Kybalion”:
“Where fall the footsteps of the master, the ears of those ready for his Teachings open
wide.”
“When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with
wisdom.”
—The Kybalion
So that according to the Teachings, the passage of this book to those ready for the
instructions will attract the attention of such as are prepared to receive the Teaching. And,
likewise, when the pupil and seeker of “Absolute Truth” is ready to receive it, then will this little
xv
book come to him, her, and it. Such is the Law, the Hermetic/Melchizedekian/Quetzalcoatl or
Divine Universal Principle of Cause and Effect, in its aspect of the Law of Attraction, will bring
lips and ear together—pupil and book in company. So must it be!
Edited from The Kybalion
xvi
2
Reconciliation of
The Seven Hermetic or Divine Universal Principles
“The Principles of Truth are seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key
before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open.”
—The Kybalion
“The Principles of Absolute Truth are seven; he, she, and it who knows these, understandingly, possesses
the magic key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open.”
—The Kybalion Reconciled
“The Seven Divine Universal Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Teachings is
based, are as follows:
I. The Principle of Mentalism
II. The Principle of Correspondence
III. The Principle of Vibration
IV. The Principle of Polarity
V. The Principle of Rhythm
VI. The Principle of Cause and Effect
VII. The Principle of Gender.”
The Reconciliation of “these Seven Divine Principles will be discussed and explained in
proceeding chapters. A short explanation of each reconciliation, however, may as well be given
at this point.”
I. The Principle of Mentalism
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“The All is Mind; The Universe is Mental.”
—The Kybalion
“God is a person of great mental ability; The Universe is from the Mind.”
—The Kybalion Reconciled
The Reconciliation of this Principle embodies the “Absolute Truth” that the term “The
All” used in the Kybalion was the attribute of God before objective creation when The ALL was
ALL that existed and all existed, meaning; occurred, took place, within the Mind of The ALL.
Mind is used to mean; a person of great mental ability; Person means: An individual of specified
character; self; meaning ones total being, individuality. In Christianity it means; any of the three
members of the trinity, and Purusha is sanskirt for person. It refers to the eternal Self. Mental is
used to mean: Of the mind, Of meaning: from, a place as a starting point. It explains that God
and Goddess (who are aspects of the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward
manifestations and appearances, except that of evil, which we know under the terms of “The
Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Universe”, “The Phenomena of Life”, “Matter”, “Energy”, and,
in short, all that is apparent to our material, mental, spiritual, and intuitive senses) are Spirit,
meaning; A supernatural being; Supernatural meaning; specified as existence outside the natural
world; which in itself is Knowable and Definable, and which is considered and thought of as
Universal, Infinite and finite, Living Mind. It also explains that all the phenomenal world or
universe, is no longer simply Mental Creations of God and Goddess subject to the Laws of
Subjectively Created Things, and that the universe, as a whole, and in its parts or units no longer
has its existence, occurrence, within the mind of THE ALL, within whose mind we lived and
moved and had our being. This Principle, by establishing the Mental, Physical, and Spiritual
Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the varied mental, physical, spiritual, and psychic
xviii
phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the public attention, and which, without such
explanation, are non-understandable and defy scientific treatment. The right understanding of
this great Hermetic/Divine Universal Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily
grasp the laws of the Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Universe, and to apply the same to his, her,
and its well being and advancement. The Hermetic student and seeker of “Absolute Truth” is
enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Laws, instead of using
them in a Haphazard manner. With the master-key in his, her, and its possession, the student and
seeker of “Absolute Truth” may unlock the many doors of the mental, physical, spiritual, and
psychic temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently, This Principle explains
the true nature of “Energy,” “Power,” and “Matter,” and why and how all these are subordinate
to the Mastery of Mind. “He, she, and it who grasps the absolute truth of the mental, physical,
and spiritual nature of the universe is well advanced on the Path to Mastery.” Without this
master-key, Mastery is impossible, and the student and seeker of “Absolute Truth” knocks in
vain at the many doors of the Temple.
II. The Principle of Correspondence
“As above, so below; as below, so above.”
—The Kybalion
“As above, so must it be below; as below, so must it be above.”
—The Kybalion Reconciled
The Reconciliation of this Principle embodies the “Absolute Truth” that there must be
correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes and kinds of Being and
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Life, without evil, in order to “Become” your true “self” of one with all in peace and harmony
throughout the Universe with power and abilities to explore it and fulfill a righteous imagination.
Correspondence is used to mean: The act, fact or state of agreeing or conforming; harmony; to be
similar, parallel, as in nature or function. The old Hermetic axioms ran in these words: “As
above, so below; as below, so above.” And, “As within, so without; as without, so within.” In
other words, as it is above with God and Goddess in heaven, paradise, Nirvana, etc., so must it be
below with man and other beings throughout the universe. And as only righteousness, justice and
love is active within God and Goddess, so must it be without them in the Universe. And the
grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradoxes, and hidden
secrets of God, Goddess, Evil, Self, and the Universe. There are no kinds, planes, and degrees
beyond our knowing. Once we know and master “Self” and when we properly apply the
Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to have the Right Understanding of much that
would otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of universal application and
manifestation, on the various planes of the physical, mental, and spiritual universe—it is a
Universal Law. The Hermetists and Wise consider this Principle as one of the most important
mental instruments by which man is able to pry aside the obstacles, which hid from view the
unknown. Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis so that the face of the goddess is caught. Just as
a knowledge of the Principle of Geometry enables man and woman to measure distant suns and
their movements, while seated in his or her observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of
Correspondence enables man, woman, and other beings to reason, and intuit intelligently from
the unknown to the known.
III. The Principle of Vibration
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“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”
—The Kybalion
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates, but evil.”
—The Kybalion Reconciled
The Reconciliation of this Principle embodies the “Absolute Truth” that nothing is at rest,
but evil within God and Goddess and must so be in he, she, it, and the Universe who have the
knowledge of it. For as within God, Goddess, and must be with us, so must it be without in our
worlds. Rest means: To be in or come to a motionless state; Cessation or absence of work,
motion or activity, Cessation means: To bring or come to an end. Everything is in motion and
everything vibrates, facts which the Masters, Wise and modern science endorses and which each
new scientific discovery tends to verify. And yet this Hermetic/Universal Principle was
enunciated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains that
the differences between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even Spirit, result
largely from varying rates and kinds of vibrations. From God and Goddess, who are Pure Mental,
Physical, and Spiritual Energy Matter, down to the grossest form/kind of mental, physical, and
spiritual energy matter, all is in vibration—the higher the vibration, the higher the degree in a
Scale means; A progressive classification. The vibrations of spirits are at such infinite rates of
intensity and rapidity that they are practically at rest—just as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be
motionless. And at the other end of this made scale, there are gross forms of physical energy
matter whose vibrations are so low as to seem at rest. Between these set poles there are millions
upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscles and electrons, atom and
molecule, to worlds and universes, everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true of the
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planes, kinds, and degrees of energy matter and force (which are not but varying degrees of
vibration); and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon kind, and degree of
vibrations); and even on to the spiritual planes. The Right Understanding of this Principle, with
the appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students and seekers of “Absolute Truth” to control
their own mental, physical, and spiritual states and their vibrations as well as those of others. The
Masters and Wise also apply this Principle to the conquering of natural phenomena, in various
ways. He, she, and it who has the Right Understanding of the Principle of Vibration, has grasped
the scepter of power, says the writers.
IV. The Principle of Polarity
“Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike
are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths
are but half truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.”
—The Kybalion
“Everything is not Dual; everything does not have poles; everything does not have a pair of
opposites; like and unlike are not the same; opposites are not identical in nature, but different in
degree; extremes were set to meet; all truths, but absolute truths, are half-truths; all paradoxes
may be reconciled.”
—The Kybalion Reconciled
The Reconciliation of this Principle embodies the “Absolute Truth” that “everything is
not dual”, Dual means, composed of two parts, having a double character or purpose;
“everything does not have two poles”; Have means: To possess as a characteristic or part. Pole is
xxii
used to mean: either of two opposing forces; Opposing to mean: To place opposite especially in
contrast or counterbalance; to be in contention or conflict with; Counterbalance means: to
counteract which means; To oppose and lessen the effects of by contrary action; “everything
does not have a pair of opposites.” Opposites is used to mean: place directly across from, sharply
contrasting, contradictory to one another. Contrasting means: To set in opposition in order to
show differences. Contrary means: Opposite, as in character, or nature; Nature means: A kind or
sort, the essential character of a thing, all of which were old Hermetic axioms. It reconciles the
old paradoxes that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows: “Thesis and
antithesis are identical in nature, but different in degree”; “opposites are the same, differing only
in degree”; “the pairs of opposites may be reconciled”; “extremes meet”; “everything is and isn’t
at the same time”; “all truths are but half-truths”; “every truth is half-false”; “there are two sides
to everything”; etc, etc, etc. It explains that “In” everything there are not two poles, or opposite
aspects, and that “opposites” are two extremes placed directly across from each other with many
varying degrees between them. Extreme means; Either of two things at opposite sides of a scale.
To illustrate: Heat and cold, although “opposites” are not the same kind of thing, the differences
consisting not merely of degrees. Same is used to mean: identical. There is such a thing as
absolute heat and absolute cold—“the two terms “heat” and “cold” do not simply indicate
varying degrees of the same thing, but rather varying kinds of temperature—and that which
manifests as “heat” and “cold” are not merely a form, variety, and rate of Vibration. They are
different planes, kinds, and degrees of temperature come in contact with one another. So “heat”
and “cold” are set as “two extremes” of that which we call “Heat”—but are really two kinds of
temperature, which have been transmuted, came in contact with or set at opposite ends of each
other—and the phenomena attendant thereupon are manifestations of the Principle of Polarity.
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The same Principle manifests in the case of “Light and Darkness,” which are not the same, the
difference consisting in plane, kind/composition, and degree between the two poles of the
phenomen. What is the difference between “Large and Small”? Between “Hard and Soft”?
Between “Black and White”? Between “Sharp and Dull”? Between “Noise and Quiet”? Between
“High and Low”? Between “Positive and Negative”? The right understanding of the Principle of
Polarity, the manifestation of two opposing tendencies, explains these paradoxes and no other
Principle can supersede it. The Principle operates on the mental, physical, and spiritual planes.
Let us take an example—that of “Love and Hate,” two mental states or conditions apparently
totally different. There is such a thing as pure Love and pure Hate—the two terms Love and Hate
do not simply indicate varying degrees of the same thing but rather varying kinds of emotions or
mental states. And there are kinds and degrees of Hate and kinds and degrees of Love, or a
mixture of the two, but no middle point in which we should use the terms “Like or Dislike,”
which we were mistaught to believe shades into each other so gradually that sometimes we are at
a loss to know whether we “like” or “dislike” or “neither,” they are two different kinds of
emotions or states. And all are not simply degrees of the same kind of thing as you will see if
you will but think a moment. Take for instance iron, steel, copper, and tin; they are all metals but
different kinds of metals. They are not varying degrees of the same thing and shade into one
another. The same with gemstones, cakes, ice cream, and candy. And, more than this (and
considered of more importance by the Hermetists and Wise), it is possible to change the kind of
mental state and vibrations of Hate to the mental state and vibrations of Love, in one’s own
mind, and in the minds of others. Many of you, who read these lines, have had personal
experiences of the involuntary rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own
case and that of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this being accomplished
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by the use of the will, by means of the Hermetic/Divine formulas. “Good and Evil” are kinds of
knowledge, and spirits, and the Hermetist and Wise understand the art of transmuting Evil into
Good, by means of an application of the Principle of Polarity, a polar extreme, using mental and
spiritual alchemy of transmuting, mixing, removing, or replacing kinds. In short, the “Art of
Polarization,” to acquire polarity, an indicated polar extreme, becomes a phase of “Mental,
Physical, and Spiritual Alchemy” known and practiced by the ancient and modern Hermetic
Masters and Wise. The Right Understanding and application of the Principle will enable one to
change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he, she, and it will devote the time and study
necessary to master the art.